"It's the first time ... we have had any kind of written communication. The letters speak volumes."

Hekmati wrote to his father, who has brain cancer:

"I am always praying for you that God cures you...

"As for me, do not worry about me. Overall I am healthy and I am not in need of anything except to see you and to know that you are healthy."

As Home Post previously reported, Hekmati is of Iranian descent, but was born in the United States and has duel United States-Iran citizenship. He was visiting his grandmothers in Iran when he was detained and accused of spying.

Iran had sentenced Hekmati to death, but that death sentence was later overturned.

Hekmati joined the Marine Corps in 2001 and received basic training at Camp Pendleton.